Condom Dispensers Installed In Philadelphia Schools

Twenty-two city high schools in Philadelphia will offer free condoms to students after the holiday break.

In a pilot initiative to battle the epidemic sexually transmitted diseases among the youth and in the city, new clear plastic condom dispensers will be installed inside nurse offices for the students’ use.

Twelve schools in the city already offer condoms in health resource centers and at least 418 public schools in the U.S. offer free condoms. However, this new efforts aims to increase contraceptive access to students in the surrounding areas, where teens comprise 25 percent of new HIV infections.

Not surprisingly, the new initiative has angered a number of Philadelphia parents who believe free condoms will encourage teens to engage in sexual activity. Parents do, however, have the option to sign a waiver to opt their child out of the program. The school believes if they do so, the teens will have sex regardless.